Textile strand-spinning apparatus



y 28, 1968 ca c. ANDERSON ETAL 3,

TEXTILE STRAND-SPINNING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 23, 1968 G. c. ANDERSON ETAL 3,385,044

TEXTILE STRAND" SPINNING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 as 84 as l 84 72 72 I 4 o s4 F FIG 3 FIG 4 United States Patent 3,385,044 TEXTILE STRAND-SPINNING APPARATUS Gordon Campbell Anderson, Clemson, John Allen Barker,

Seneca, and Philip Bradbury Tarbox, Clemson, S.C.,

assiguors to Maremont Corporation, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 9, 1966, Ser. No. 571,219 8 Claims. (Cl. 57-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The specification discloses strand-tensioning apparatus having a pair of positive rotary strand take-up rolls rotating at a predetermined rate for removing an extensible strand from a strand package at low tension and subjecting it to a predetermined tension draft to elongate it. Its major elements include a rotary strand holding pulley preventing movement of said strand relatively thereto, a drive shaft for restricting the speed of rotation of the pulley in the direction of advance of the strand to a predetermined rate less than that of the take-up rolls to produce the predetermined tension draft and an overrunning clutch interposed between the drive shaft and the pulley, the clutch normally engaging the pulley with the drive shaft by reason of the force provided to the pulley by the strand under tension draft and automatically declutching the pulley from the drive shaft for relative movement therebetween in the direction opposite to that of the advance of the strand upon failure of the tension draft. Also disclosed is an adjustable drag for the pulley providing a drag force substantially less than the opposing force provided by the tension draft, effective to stop the pulley upon failure of the tension draft and to stop removing the strand from its package.

This invention relates to textile machinery and more particularly to strand-tensioning apparatus especially useful for producing a composite yarn including an extensible strand such as spandex.

In core spinning, for example in combining a spandex continuous filament yarn with a cotton yarn by spinning them together, difficulties have heretofore been encountered in controlling the tension feed of the continuous filament strand, particularly when it breaks. Thus, with the conventional power driven creel, it isnearly impossible to provide uniform tension because of variations in supply packages, while other systems have been found to be unduly complicated and expensive with the tendency upon breakage to wind up the yarn on the various tension control devices utilized.

Accordingly, it is a major object of the present invention to provide highly effective, yet simple and inexpensive tensioning apparatus, which not only provides an accurately predetermined tension draft, but also positively eliminates any wind-up of yarn as a result of its breaking.

These objects and features of the invention have been attained by providing, in strand tensioning apparatus having a positive rotary strand take-up means, such as a pair of rolls, rotating at a predetermined rate for removing an extensible strand from a strand package and subjecting it to a predetermined tension draft to elongate it as it advances to the take-up means, the novel combination of: rotary strand holding means; drive means restricting the speed of rotation of the holding means in the direction of advance of the strand to a predetermined rate less than that of the take-up means to produce the predetermined tension draft and means, such as overrunning clutch, interposed between the drive and holding means for automatically connecting and disconnecting them in order to control the strand.

According to the invention, the clutch normally engages 3,385,044 Patented May 28, 1968 the holding means with the drive means by reason of the force provided to said holding means by the tension draft of the strand. It automatically declutches the holding means from the drive means for relative movement therebetween in the direction opposite to that of the advance of the strand upon failure of the tension draft as occurs upon breakage of the tensioned strand. Preferably, drag means provide a drag force substantially less than the opposing force provided by the tension draft, the drag means being effective to stop rotation of the holding means upon failure of the tension draft and so to stop further removal of the strand from the strand package. With this arrangement, the strand is removed from the strand package at low tension, so that the package characteristics are not a factor, with an accurately predetermined tension draft being applied between the strand holding means and the take-up means, which may be the front rolls of a conventional drafting element.

For the purpose of explaining further objects and features of the invention, reference is now made to the following detailed deseription of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic isometric view of a spinning frame embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, partly in section, of the strand tensioning device of the frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the device of FIG. 2, taken on the line 33 thereof; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the portion of FIG. 3 taken on the line 44 thereof.

Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1 is shown a vertical section through a spinning frame having mounted thereon, a series of roll stands 10, the usual drafting elements, including front rolls 12 and 14, for drafting roving from one or two roving packages 18 and spinning it onto a spindle and bobbin 20 by means of the usual spinning ring 22 and traveler 24. The series of tensioning devices of the present invention, generally designated 26, are also mounted on the spinning frame, one for each two spindles and bobbins 20 on an upper supporting bar 28 which extends for the length of the frame. The tensioning devices receive two strands from strand packages 32 and 34 through guides 29 for tensioning. Each of the strands, after release from the tensioning device, is guided by a guide 13 to combine it with the roving strand or strands at one of front rolls 12 and 14. For simplicity, but a single drafting element and associated spindle and bobbin 20 is shown for accommodating a strand from one side of tensioning device 26. As is usual, the lower front roll 14 e (as Well as the other lower rolls) of the drafting elements extends for the entire length of the frame and is driven by motor 44 located at one end of the spinning frame, such drive being conventional and being shown in simplified form herein. The series of tensioning devices 26 of the present invention are driven by a single shaft 46 which also extends for the entire length of the spinning frame and is driven by motor 44 as through change gears 36 and 38, chain 42 and sprockets 40 and 48. The relative speeds between the tensioning devices and the front rolls can thus be predetermined by change gears 36 and 38 for the purpose of setting the desired tension draft of the strands, as hereinafter more fully explained.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, wherein is shown in detail one of the tensioning devices of the present invention, the elements of tensioning devices 26 are mounted on and within a housing 60 which is in turn rigidly mounted on supporting tube 28. The through driving shaft 46 extends through tube 28and housing 60 and has mounted thereon within housing 60 a gear 62. Within the free end of housing 60 remote from the supporting bar and extending therethrough is a stub shaft 64, having mounted generally centrally thereof within housing 60 a gear 66 connected to gear 62 by idler gear 68 so that stub shaft 64 is driven continuously by through shaft 46.

Positioned at the sides of housing 60, coaxially with respect to the ends of stub shaft 64 at each side of housing 60 are a pair of strand holding pulleys 70, 80 (although a single such pulley could be used to tension a single strand). Such strand holding pulleys are well known and have a peripheral V recess with a plurality of teeth therein to hold the strand, preventing movement thereof relatively to the pulley. Other types of strand holding means, such as meshing rolls, also known in the art, may be used as well.

Pulleys 70 and 80 are mounted on the ends of stub shaft 64 by means of a pair of spaced bearings 71 and 73 which may be roller bearings having rollers 72 interposed between shaft 64 and outer races 74 within the hubs 75 and 85 of pulleys 70 and 80. Overrunning clutches, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, are positioned between bearings 71 and 73 and interposed between the ends of stub shaft 64 and hubs 75 and 85 of pulleys 70 and 80. Such clutches are well known in the art and in general comprise a plurality of rollers 84 running on the ends of stub shaft 64 as an inner race and having an outer race 86 including a plurality of ramps 88. A spring retainer 89 is provided for engaging or disengaging rollers 84 from their ramps 88 upon relative motion of shaft 64 and clutch outer race 86 depending upon whether such motion is in the same or opposite direction. The clutches thus engage pulleys 70 and S with stub shaft 64 when pulleys 70 and 80 are rotated in the direction of strand advance (clockwise in FIG. 1) relatively to the stub shaft 64. which stub shaft is also being rotated in the direction of strand advance, so that they in effect function as stops to prevent rotation of the strand holding pulleys 70 and 80 in the direction of strand advance at a rate of rotation greater than that of stub shaft 64. The overrunning clutches permit strand holding pulleys 70 and 80 to rotate in the opposite direction to strand advance (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) relatively to stub shaft 64.

The tensioning device 26 also includes drag means for pulleys 70 and 80 providing a drag force which is adjusted to be substantially less than the opposing force provided by the tension draft, but of sufficient magnitude so that it is effective to stop the rotation of a pulley 70 or 80 upon failure of the tension draft to stop removal of further strand from the strand package. Such drag means consists of carbon blocks 90 mounted in housing 60 for movement radially of pulleys 70 and 80 so as to engage the outer periphery of their pulley hubs 75 and S5. Adjustment of the drag or braking force produced on hubs 75 and 85 by carbon blocks 90 is provided by adjustment screws 92 and 94, springs 96 being interposed between blocks 90 and their adjustment screw in the usual manner.

In normal operation, the rolls of the drafting element are rotated to draft roving from roving package or packages 18 and spin and twist it onto a spindle and bobbin 20. Strands of an extensible yarn, such as spandex, are led from their packages 32 and 34, about one and onehalf turns (clockwise in FIG. 1) around pulleys 70 and 80, through guide 13 and behind and between front rolls 12 and 14 for combining them with the roving to spin them together. For this purpose, the stub shaft 64 carrying the holding pulleys 70 and 80 is driven so that the pulley rotation is limited to a predetermined speed less than that of the front rolls 12 and 14, which may, for example be about /3 to A; of the surface speed of the front rolls to produce a predetermined tension draft of about 3 to 6. Change gears 36 and 38 may be varied to obtain the desired speed relationship.

With the stub shaft so driven at a constant predetermined speed, the overrunning clutch of a strand holding pulley '70 or 80 will engage it with stub shaft 64 by reason of the force provided on the holding pulley by the tension draft of the strand extending between that hold ing pulley and front rolls 12 and 14. As so engaged with the stub shaft, the strand holding pulley will rotate with the stub shaft at its predetermined rate, removing the extensible strand from a strand package at low tension and subjecting it to a tension draft to elongate it a predetermined amount as it advances to the front rolls 12 and 14 where it is combined with the roving strand.

However, when a tensioned strand breaks in the region between the strand holding pulley or and the drafting element front rolls 12 and 14, the loss of strand tension, which normally overcomes the opposing force of the drag of the strand holding pulley brake element and keeps the clutch engaged, will produce automatic declutching of a holding pulley 70 or 80 and its brake element 90 will bring it to a stop. This will prevent further removal of strand from its package, and will prevent any winding up of the broken strand on any of the elements of the tensioning device. Meanwhile, the remaining tensioning devices on the frame will continue to operate, as will the other holding pulleys 70 or 80 of the same tensioning device.

While one strand holding pulley is so stopped, the broken strand may be easily pieced up by inserting its broken end into the nip of the drafting element front rolls, and in this regard it should be noted that the use of a stub shaft simplifies such piecing up as well as initial threading because of the free access provided across the end of the pulley. Otherwise, the tensioning device of the invention can have its holding pulley or pulleys directly mounted on shaft 46 together with its overrunning clutch and bearing assembly and its brake element as otherwise herein described.

Various other modifications of the invention, within the spirit thereof and the scope of the appended claims, will occur to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In strand-tensioning apparatus having a positive rotary strand take-up means rotating at a predetermined rate for removing an extensible strand from a strand package at low tension and subjecting it to a predetermined tension draft to elongate it as it advances to said take-up means;

rotary strand holding means rotatable by advance of said strand and preventing movement of said strand relatively thereto;

drive means for said holding means for restricting the rotation thereof in the direction of advance of said strand to a predetermined rate less than that of said take-up means to produce said predetermined tension draft; and

means interposed between said drive means and said holding means normally engaging said holding means with said drive means by reason of the force provided to said holding means by said strand under tension draft and automatically disconnecting said holding means from said drive means for relative movement therebetween in the direction opposite to that of the advance of said strand upon failure of said tension draft.

2. In strand-tensioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means interposed between said drive means and said holding means is an overrunning clutch.

3. In strand-tensioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including drag means for said holding means providing a drag force substantially less than the opposing force provided by said tension draft effective to stop said holding means upon failure of said tension draft and to stop removing said strand from said strand package.

4. In strand-tensioning apparatus having a positive rotary strand take-up means rotating at a predetermined rate for removing an extensible strand from a strand package at low tension and subjecting it to a predetermined tension draft to elongate it as it advances to said take-up means;

rotary strand holding means rotatable by advance of said strand and preventing movement of said strand relatively thereto drive means for said holding means for restricting the rotation thereof in the direction of advance of said strand to a predetermined rate less than that of said take-up means to produce said predetermined tension draft;

overrunning clutch means interposed between said drive means and said holding means, said clutch means normally engaging said holding means with said drive means by reason of the force provided to said holding means by said strand under tension draft and automatically declutching said holding means from said drive means for relative movement therebetween in the direction opposite to that of the advance of said strand upon failure of said tension draft; and

drag means for said holding means providing a drag force substantially less than the opposing force provided by said tension draft effective to stop said holding means upon failure of said tension draft and to stop removing said strand from said strand package.

5. In strand-tensioning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said drag means is adjustable to vary said drag force.

6. Core-spinning apparatus comprising:

a roving package support;

a drafting element including front rolls rotating at a predetermined rate for drafting roving from said roving package an extensible strand package support;

a strand tensioning device for removing an extensible strand from said strand package at low tension and subjecting it to a predetermined tension draft to elongate it as it advances into the nip of said front rolls, including:

rotary strand holding means rotatable by advance of said strand and preventing movement of said strand relatively thereto;

drive means for said holding means for restricting the rotation thereof in the direction of ad vance of said strand to a predetermined rate less than that of said front rolls to produce said predetermined tension draft; and

means interposed between said drive means and said holding means normally engaging said holding means by said drive means by reason of the force provided to said holding means by said strand under tension draft and automatically disconnecting said holding means from said drive means for relative movement therebetween in the direction opposite to that of the advance of said strand upon failure of said tension draft; and

spinning means for twisting together said roving and said strand as they emerge from the nip of said front rolls.

7. Core-spinning apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further including drag means for said holding means providing a drag force substantially less than the opposing force provided by said tension draft effective to stop said holding means upon failure of said tension draft and to stop removing said strand from said strand package.

8. Core-spinning apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means interposed between said drive means and said holding means is an overrunning clutch.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,623,348 12/1952 Bade 57-83 2,807,131 9/1957 Bade 57-83 3,246,857 4/1966 Morse 242-5512 3,323,302 6/ 1967 Blackstock 57-12 X WILLIAM S. BURDEN, Primary Examiner. 

